Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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592. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if, due to the high level of ill treatment of horses, the appointment of horse wardens will be considered; and if the appointments could be a condition of the funding for animal welfare to local authorities. [37251/18]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Animal welfare legislation in the form of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 is administered by professional and technical officers of my Department based at 16 Regional Veterinary Offices located around the country. Investigations under the Act are also carried out by members of an Garda Síochána, officers of Customs and Excise, and officers of both the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The opportunity is open for local authorities to appoint officers of the Authority as authorised officers to enforce the Act within the Authority’s functional area.

Separately, each local authority is responsible for enforcing the Control of Horses Act 1996 and any bye-laws made under that Act by the authority within its functional area.

My Department will, however, continue to work closely with Local Authorities around the country with a view to promoting horse projects both in terms of infrastructure and education.